ELEGANT FRENCH TOAST WITH MAPLE-PECAN SYRUP

Steps:

• FRENCH TOAST:.
• Trim ends from the loaf of bread and cut the bread into six 1-1/2" thick slices.
• To make a pocket in each slice, beginning at the top, cut lengthwise in half to within 1" of the bottom.
• Set aside.
• In a small bowl, beat 3/4 cup of cherries, cream cheese or mascarpone, whipping cream and 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.
• If you like, with an electric mixer until well combined.
• Spread about 1/4 cup of the mixture into pocket of each slice of bread.
• Gently press pieces of bread together, distributing filling evenly inside pocket.
• Combine eggs, cinnamon and vanilla in a shallow dish.
• Dip bread into egg mixture to coat all sides.
• On a griddle or in a skillet, cook bread in hot butter or margarine over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
• Add more butter or margarine, if needed.
• Remove from heat and cut French toast in half diagonally, forming two triangles.
• Place three triangles for each serving on warm plates.
• Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar and remaining cherries.
• MAPLE-PECAN SYRUP:.
• Melt butter or margarine, add nuts; brown lightly: remove nuts.
• Add maple syrup, honey, cinnamon and salt to butter in saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in pecans and cinnamon.
• Let cool; mixture will thicken as it cools.
• Serve the french toast with warm syrup and slices of apple on to, or with powdered sugar.
• *If you choose you can sub any kind of fruit.